Essential Oil Safety Considerations

We put together a list of safety precautions for the essential oils we carry. Most of the precautions listed are relevant to topical use only (diffusing is relatively safe when done properly and in moderation). It is important to dilute essential oils before applying topically. To learn more about the safety considerations for topical use, check out our Do I Need to Dilute Essential Oils before Applying Topically blogpost.

Ingestion

Please note oral application is not approved in North America and most aromatherapy associations have come out strongly against oral dosing. To learn more about ingesting essential oils, please read To Drink or Not to Drink blogpost.

Storage

We recommend storing your essential oils in the fridge or a cool, dark place away from children and pets. 

Important Note

This list is not complete and reflects only the essential oils that we carry at The Blending Bar. 

Pregnancy

Essential oils to avoid using during pregnancy and while breastfeeding:

• Aniseed
• Basil
• Cajeput
• Carrot
• Cedarwood
• Clary Sage
• Clove
• Eucalyptus
• Fennel
• Geranium (first trimester)
• Hyssop
• Jasmine
• Juniper
• Lavender (first trimester)
• Lemongrass
• Myrrh
• Nutmeg
• Oregano
• Peppermints
• Roman Chamomile (first trimester)
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Spearmint
• Turmeric

Explore our pregnancy-safe collection blended to support you throughout all stages of pregnancy, made with gentle essential oils, and prepared with a safe dilution for topical use when applicable. If you have any health concerns, please contact your physician before using any essential oils topically.

Photosensitivity

Essential oils to avoid before Sun/UV exposure (wait at least 24 hours after applying these oils before using tanning beds or being in the sun):

• Bitter Orange
• Grapefruit 
• Lime
• Lemon

For more information about phototoxicity, check out our Photosensitivity, Skin, Sun + Essential Oils blogpost.

Children + Babies

Essential oils to avoid using with children under each age group noted:

10 years and Younger

• Basil
• Rosemary
• Sage

6 years and Younger

• Aniseed
• Cajeput*
• Cardamom*
• Clary Sage
• Cypress
• Eucalyptus*
• Ginger
• Helichrysum
• Hyssop
• Laurel
• Manuka
• Marjoram
• Myrtle
• Myrrh
• Niaouli*
• Peppermints*
• Petitgrain
• Ravintsara
• Spearmint
• Turmeric

2 years and Younger

• Clove
• Jasmine
• Lemongrass
• Litsea
• Ylang Ylang

*An important safety note regarding inhalation: Never diffuse or place essential oils high in 1-8 cineole (Eucalyptol) or Menthol near the face of young children and babies as this can overwhelm the respiratory tract and cause choking. 

Please note that most essential oils should not be used on babies under 6 months of age. Contact us if you have questions, and explore our kid-safe collection and Baby collection to address everything from sleep and hyperactivity to upset tummies and stuffed up noses. Blended with gentle essential oils in dilutions appropriate to the age group noted for topical use when applicable. If the child has any health concerns, please contact your physician before using.

Pets

As a general rule of thumb, we advise against applying any essential oils topically to your pet unless professionally formulated by an aromatherapist. With that, we developed a small collection of Pet Blends in consultation with a veterinarian to assist with common issues that arise with pets. Please follow instructions carefully as some are meant for diffusion and others are meant for topical use (blended in very low dilutions with gentle essential oils). In an effort to clarify the misinformation that has been circulating with regard to using essential oils around pets, have a look at our Diffusing around Babies + Pets blogpost.

Health Conditions

If you have any of the following conditions, please see the oils listed adjacent that generally should be avoided. Feel free to contact us for more information and aromatherapy recommendations to support you safely. As a general rule, we recommend consulting your physician before using any essential oils topically.  

• Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure | Eucalyptus, Sage, Cypress
• Uncontrolled Low Blood Pressure | Marjoram
• Endometriosis | Aniseed, Fennel
• Epilepsy | Eucalyptus, Hyssop, Rosemary, Sage
• Kidney Disorder | Black Pepper, Juniper
• Estrogen-dependent Cancer | Aniseed, Fennel
• Heart Condition | Peppermints

Connect with Us 

Consult with a trained Aromatherapist at The Blending Bar. We love hearing from you and are happy to answer any questions you may have and provide resources.

More Information

For more information and safety precautions to consider when using essential oils, please visit the West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy to explore the comprehensive blog entries and resources provided. When visiting this website, be sure to sign up to receive the free Essential Oil E-book which contains everything you need to know to safely and effectively use essential oils at home. 

References

Bevery Hawkins, westcoastaromatherapy.com/articles
Bevery Hawkins, West Coast Institute of Aromatherapy, Aromatherapy 101, Aromatherapy 201 course materials
BCAOA, Essential Oil Safety Brochure 2019
Robert Tisserand & Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety, Second Edition, 2014

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